Cornish Image Gallery

The Cornish Image Gallery sits just outside Looe, a proper working space that celebrates the region's visual heritage without the pretension you might expect. Walk in and you're surrounded by local photography, painting, and printmaking - the sort of work that actually captures what it's like to live on this stretch of coast rather than just selling postcards of it.

It's refreshingly unpretentious. The space rotates exhibitions, so what you see depends entirely on when you visit, but that's part of the appeal - you're not paying to see the same carefully curated collection as everyone else. Artists tend to be around, which means you can actually have a conversation about the work instead of reading a laminated card.

Give yourself an hour, maybe ninety minutes if there's something that grabs you. It's ideal if you're based at one of the nearby parks - Killigarth Manor is practically on the doorstep, Tencreek just a short drive - and you want something between beach days and proper tourist attractions. Looe itself is two minutes away, so you could easily combine it with lunch or a wander round the harbour.

Historically engaged visitors and anyone serious about contemporary art will get the most from it. Families with young kids might find it a touch quiet. Worth checking opening hours before you go - it's not massive, and they sometimes close for changeovers.